However, the new rule is cutting down on potentially dangerous hits, Shaw said Wednesday.

There have been 14 targeting flags in SEC games this season, with eight resulting in ejections and six where replay officials allowed the player to return, he said. The rule is designed to stop defenders from hitting defenseless players above the shoulders and leading with the crown of the helmet.

Shaw said officials have thrown flags for targeting 52 times nationally this season and the numbers are down both in the SEC and overall from last year.

Replay officials cannot wipe out the 15-yard penalty but can let players return to the game.

N.C. State bans ex-player: North Carolina State said it has sent a "no trespass" letter to former receiver Eric Leak, already banned from contacting athletes for violating NCAA rules, and his wife. University police notified Leak this month after the school discovered his wife's car received two campus parking tickets during the spring semester, spokesman Brad Bohlander said.

The school sent the Leaks a disassociation letter in November 2011 for providing improper benefits to two former basketball players then referred concerns about him in September 2012 to the North Carolina Secretary of State's office after he spoke with football player David Amerson.

The state's Uniform Athlete Agents Act requires agents to register with the Secretary of State's office and prohibits agents or their representatives from providing gifts to college athletes that could jeopardize a player's eligibility. George Jeter, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's office, wrote in an email that "Mr. Leak is not registered in North Carolina as an athlete agent."

Grambling St. forfeit: Jackson State leaders said they plan to take legal action for the financial hit it suffered when its homecoming game was canceled because Grambling forfeited. Grambling players refused to play after taking their concerns about conditions and coaching to administration officials.

Clemson: Quarterback Tajh Boyd denied an Internet report that he had an $80,000 debt gambling on NFL games. "I don't really know where that came from," Boyd said.

West Virginia: The school said it found no misconduct or violations of NCAA rules within the program involving assistant coach Joe DeForest, who was identified by Sports Illustrated as having provided improper payments to players while he worked at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State is conducting an independent review. The NCAA has declined comment.

Basketball: Georgetown said the NCAA cleared center Josh Smith, who transferred from UCLA, to play immediately.